James Gurney

This daily weblog by Dinotopia creator James Gurney is for illustrators, plein-air painters, sketchers, comic artists, animators, art students, and writers. You'll find practical studio tips, insights into the making of the Dinotopia books, and first-hand reports from art schools and museums.

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Imaginative Realism

Dinotopia: The World Beneath

"A ravishing, action-packed adventure." —Smithsonian. Now with 32 extra behind-the-scenes pages. Signed by the author/illustrator

Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara

160 pages, fully illustrated in color. Written and illustrated by James Gurney. Signed by the author

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or by email:gurneyjourney (at) gmail.comSorry, I can't give personal art advice or portfolio reviews. If you can, it's best to ask art questions in the blog comments.

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All images and text are copyright 2015 James Gurney and/or their respective owners. Dinotopia is a registered trademark of James Gurney. For use of text or images in traditional print media or for any commercial licensing rights, please email me for permission.

However, you can quote images or text without asking permission on your educational or non-commercial blog, website, or Facebook page as long as you give me credit and provide a link back. Students and teachers can also quote images or text for their non-commercial school activity. It's also OK to do an artistic copy of my paintings as a study exercise without asking permission.

This is a really delightful painting, and a wonderful lesson in changing a reference to fit the needs of the final piece. The conversion of the scene from bright to rainy, the additions - including the nice overhang on the building a couple doors up from the bookshop, etc, etc.

I just happened across your post by serendipity this evening. This bookstore window image has always been one of my favorite pictures from the Dinotopia books because it evokes so many things that I find important in my own life. I had always thought of asking this, and now seems as good a time as any, is it possible to get a print of it someplace? I do have the book of course but a poster or a mug or a whatever something with the image on it would be nice also.

My favorite thing about that painting, is that it doesn't show any rain. By that I mean you create the atmosphere, and effects of a rainy day without having to try to paint in the actual rain, which some people I guess think is necessary in their art (and it usually ends up looking bad). All you really need is the right lighting and color, add the right effects (ex. the reflective, wet look on the sidewalk) and everyone can tell it's raining :)

James, what's the medium? I had assumed (thought I don't know why) that all the illustrations in Dinotopia were oil, but the "water" effects here, seem to cry out "watercolor" - though I realize that's not necessarily so.

I love looking returning to compare the reference to the painting. I just noticed how you borrowed the overhang on the right hand building from the building farther up on the left.

Tom, It might be an oil wash. You can get a pretty good watercolor effect with thinned down oil paints. You probably already knew that, but just thought I'd chime in, Ive actually lifted highlights out of an oil wash before, same as watercolors, just use turpentine instead of water.

I'm a bit late to this party, but I thought I'd let you know: I went up to the Dinotopia exhibit at the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie this afternoon, and enjoyed it very much. My girlfriend went to Vassar, and enjoyed the library painting from the first book. I was blown away when I saw this one. I grew up in Tivoli, and would recognize that street corner anywhere! Thanks for that, it made my day!

Hi, Josh, Yes, a lot of scenes in Dinotopia are based on local inspiration. That's amazing that you recognized the Tivoli scene. Of course the real bookstore is across the street. Is it still in operation?